Project Brabham

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by Simmi

I agree with a lot of what's been said above - but are some people under the impression that this project was intended to roll out with a new bespoke P2 design? I don't remember reading that anywhere in the brief. They were planning to get the online part running, then get a factory and purchase a P2 chassis. The re-badging concept is disappointing and needless IMO.

As a lot of people said at the start of this, you're putting money in at your own risk. Which is what I did. I got told it was a massive announcement and incredible news for sportscars. And that's fine. It was worth a try I guess.

Perhaps the P2 car was always going to be some rent chassis, yes (even though messages like this are sort of contradicting it by suggesting that prior P2-spec-rules it was going to be something else than just rebadge...???), but these PR lines from last Fall get funnier and funnier:

Originally Posted by Brabham.co.uk, October 2014

The engineering challenges will become much more complex, increasing in both the level of difficulty and interactivity as Brabham Racing strives to become an LMP1 constructor by 2018. The design of the team’s first LMP1 car could start as soon as 2016, which would reflect Brabham-Engineer tasks as complex as designing a complete chassis. --

Originally Posted by fiawec.com, September 2014

-- In year four, the marque aims to return as a constructor by way of LMP1, with firm intentions of winning the only world title for sportscars and the greatest endurance race on earth, the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Not to even mention F1...

[Pandamasque]

If I recall correctly, just prior to Silverstone Hindy mentioned that he was at Brabham's to talk about the progress of Project Brabham, when he accidentally got the news about Brabs' drive with ESM. So I suspect there's an announcement/big interview/inside programme coming from RLM.

[Adam43]

"Accidentally"? Did he rifle through the letters on Brabham's desk?

[truebeliever]

I have written my thoughts on this in prior posts, but with really nothing else being told to the public by this group, that I am aware of, all I can assume now, is that not enough "begging funding" was raised to fund the project and it isn't going to happen.

If so, what becomes of the money people did donate? Is there any accountability?

Somewhere along the line, one would assume there has to be some legal regulations in place that govern something like this? Or is it allowed that basically anyone can promote a scheme like this for profit, be that unintentional or not, it is profit none the less if it was achieved in way of donations by the public, expecting to see something in return.

Shame really and cannot imagine anyone can see it as having enhanced the Brabham name or reputation.

[YorkshireLad]

Originally Posted by truebeliever

I have written my thoughts on this in prior posts, but with really nothing else being told to the public by this group, that I am aware of, all I can assume now, is that not enough "begging funding" was raised to fund the project and it isn't going to happen.

If so, what becomes of the money people did donate? Is there any accountability?

Somewhere along the line, one would assume there has to be some legal regulations in place that govern something like this? Or is it allowed that basically anyone can promote a scheme like this for profit, be that unintentional or not, it is profit none the less if it was achieved in way of donations by the public, expecting to see something in return.

Shame really and cannot imagine anyone can see it as having enhanced the Brabham name or reputation.

Didn't they reach what they wanted on the crowd funding site though. So surely they had enough to make ground, when you set an amount to reach you need a forecast and plan to go with it.

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by truebeliever

I have written my thoughts on this in prior posts, but with really nothing else being told to the public by this group, that I am aware of, all I can assume now, is that not enough "begging funding" was raised to fund the project and it isn't going to happen.

If so, what becomes of the money people did donate? Is there any accountability?

Somewhere along the line, one would assume there has to be some legal regulations in place that govern something like this? Or is it allowed that basically anyone can promote a scheme like this for profit, be that unintentional or not, it is profit none the less if it was achieved in way of donations by the public, expecting to see something in return.

Shame really and cannot imagine anyone can see it as having enhanced the Brabham name or reputation.

One of the terms for submitting your hard earned cash for these folks was that there was going to be no refunds, whatever happened.

I don't think this will change their reputation to any direction though, the PR it created was so small to begin with that people will forget it quicky. Mass media didn't really pay much attention to it, evn the quick Caterham cash-in had more impact

[ModelT]

I read the interview with Brabham at Le Mans, and it would seem this project has become one of constantly variable goal posts

One has to wonder if it will ever see the light of day in any format? Perhaps I shall not hold my breath on that.

[mikuni]

I heard the interview and while it was obviously with a bit of PR spin, it did sound positive. He said enough money was raised to out together a workable and profitable business model and this is currently being circulated to potential sponsors and stakeholders. I can't recall exactly what the goals and milestones were, but it was a feasible proposition.

[Ephaeton]

right. Once you have collected enough money, say a quarter million pounds, paid yourself, and paid 500 to 5000 for a standard website, you potentially have money left, i.e., are profitable.

I've heard a bunch of nigerian princes try to meet up with David to crown him one of their own.

Naturally these nigerian princes each have north of 500M pounds, they only need some account to transfer to! => Instant Brabham F1

[ModelT]

Originally Posted by Ephaeton

right. Once you have collected enough money, say a quarter million pounds, paid yourself, and paid 500 to 5000 for a standard website, you potentially have money left, i.e., are profitable.

I've heard a bunch of nigerian princes try to meet up with David to crown him one of their own.

Naturally these nigerian princes each have north of 500M pounds, they only need some account to transfer to! => Instant Brabham F1

Too funny

But I do not believe he is in the prince's league. I also do not believe that "charity racing" is demonstrating a real serious face to the world of your true desire to race.

If right now, LMP2 is their stated goal and someone like Mr. Brabham, through his own pocket or business connections which one assumes after all of these years in the business, he must have? If he cannot raise enough funds/sponsorship to set up his own team now, then everything else he has said about doing LMP1, is merely a pipe dream, and then the whole project becomes questionable to my mind.

[Deleted]

Echo.

Echo.

Has this... thing been put to it's grave already? Have the "supporters" got their behind-the-scenes extras as they we're promised?

[Truckosaurus]

Who could want more than the Official Certificate* ?

* That you have to print out yourself and write your own name on.

[Deleted]

A4 black and white stock picture of David Brabham that I can blu-tack on my toilet wall?

Perhaps accompanied by some darts?

[seanyb505]

There was a bit on mwm about a month ago. Sounded like still looking for money, except this time from investors, not fans contributing 20 dollars a pop.

[GingerPixel]

But its a trans-media fan-inclusive crowd-sourced jargon-powered imaginary race team!

[Deleted]

Well, the yatch they bought with the fan money, they could always rent it to some rich gentlemen hobbyists for weekends, to aid the next crucial stage of funding: maintaining the yatch, and fueling it on regular basis. It's no use having it if you can't use it due to not wanting to spend your own pennies.

I hear the yatch is called "Thanks"

[joeb]

To be fair, their plans to build their own p2 car were stomped out by the ACO.

[Dyson Mazda]

Originally Posted by joeb

To be fair, their plans to build their own p2 car were stomped out by the ACO.

Why doesn't he just take one of the four contracted chassis, develop bodywork for the car, run it in IMSA (did the IMSA P2 rules transfer to the ELMS as well?), paint in green and gold, and call it a Brabham.

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by joeb

To be fair, their plans to build their own p2 car were stomped out by the ACO.

Didn't they say pretty early on that they'd probably just take some rent chassis and rebadge it as Brabham...

And if they don't have money (even after "succeeding the first stage of funding") to get some old Courage Oreca or whatever, how where they ever planning to build something of their own in any capacity...

[Juntos]

David Brabham is perceptive, genuine, candid, and driven in his talking. However many donors had sort of reached a saturation point. If he doesn't start running cars I know many people that will ask their cash back!

[Deleted]

Seems like this was a big thing couple of weeks ago, one year anniversary?
https://mobile.twitter.com/BrabhamOf...76401675038720

Anyway, since the last post, apparently there is now "progression", as "most likely" they could rent some P2 for partial 2016 season, ahead of "potential" 2017 campaign.
http://www.dailysportscar.com/2015/1...ng-likely.html

Meanwhile, the new technical advisor has lots to say about the much talked innovation and unrivaled access the team is about to bring to the table, if the "hopes" of actually getting to the track materialize
http://www.brabham-digital.com/blog/...hine-Learning/

"I'm confident"
"Me too"
"As am I"

[MoMedic9019]

Sadly I think the ACO has killed this project. When Hindy interviewed David a few weeks back, it seemed as if they've made no progress other than still "looking for partners"

[Deleted]

I've blamed ACO on number of occassions similar to this, and certainly the LMP2 evolution is a fiasco in general, but as I sort of referenced couple of posts earlier, I really cannot here. Brabs wouldn't have even half the dime for that as for some rental (which even that still is utopia)

But hey, guess some people still expect them to be on F1?
https://mobile.twitter.com/BrabhamOf...63100878729216

[FIRE]

Sorry don't believe new LMP2 rules damaged this project.

Building a LMP2 car from scratch requires more resources than just running a hired or purchased LMP2 car.

[Acid09]

Agreed, this project seems to be low on funding, that is the main problem.

I don't think you can crowd-fund racing teams/cars. Perrin tried it and it didn't work and it won't work for Brabham either.

There's simply not enough incentive for people to put large amounts of money into it and the bit you can get from enthusiastic fans isn't nearly enough to get such a program off the ground.